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How to get the most from Chamber membership

Chamber membership is an investment in the midcoast’s economic vitality, your local community and your business.

The following is the first part of a three-part series with a list of tips from members who successfully use their membership to help increase business, contribute to the region’s economic vitality and make the midcoast a better place to work, live and play:

JOIN: By joining the Chamber, you provide the financial support that allows us to follow our mission of promoting the interests of member businesses and encouraging economic development that sustains the heritage of the communities we serve. We attend trade shows locally, regionally and nationally to bring attention to our region. We participate in collaborative projects with Midcoast Chamber Council, Maine Tourism Association, ME State Chamber and ME Merchants Association. We are members of the Rockland Economic Development Advisory Committee, the Knox Waldo Regional Economic Development Council, Cruise Maine Coalition and Midcoast Community Partners.

NETWORK: Your fellow Chamber members regularly make business connections at Chamber functions, and they refer others to those same businesses. Get to know them by attending Business After Hours, Click!80 networking events, the Chamber Auction or the Business Expo, or join us at fundraising events such as the annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony or the 9@Night Golf Social.

SHOWCASE your business: It’s free to place your brochures, business cards or menus in our Visitor Center. For a relatively small cost, you can host a Business After Hours, exhibit at the annual Business Expo, sponsor an event or a hole at the Golf Tournament. You can donate products or services to the annual Chamber Auction or raffles at a number of other events throughout the year.

Next week, we’ll share ideas on learning, marketing and saving.

Shari Closter is the interim executive director of the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call 596-0376, e-mail shari@therealmaine.com or visithttp://www.TheRealMaine.com.